Yielding to Each Others Strengths

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, NIV

As I’ve grown in my spiritual life over the years, I have come to love the saying, “More gets done when no one cares who gets the credit.” This mindset surely makes for a more pleasant spirit when a team works together on a project. But it can progress even a step further.

When we take notice of the people we work side-by-side with, observing their strengths with a godly attitude, we may develop the ability to step back and let them take the lead. What does this look like? I know, for example, that my strong suit is not being a creative children’s ministry leader. Rather than trying to control an area where I have a weakness, I yield control of that work on a team to someone like Emily or Karen, who are gifted in that area of service. Amy is much better with recruiting volunteers or writing a press release, so I get out of her way and let her do what she does best. In other words, the team is far more successful when we keep our egos in check, accept our weakness, and make it easy for every team member to take the lead in their area of greatest strength.

Now, lest this sound overly simplistic, let me caution you that this doesn’t mean that team members are just allow to opt out on the work nor does it mean the gifted person is always given free reign. There does have to be a chain of command and a cohesive vision that all adhere to. And no one member is greater than the sum of the team.

The key is to have an honest self-awareness as well as a heart that can see the giftedness of others. A good leader should be able to possess such insight. Make it your goal to just spend some time observing. Taking notice will grow this skill in you over time. Meanwhile, pray for the gift of humility, which is essential to be an effective tool for Christ.

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